Gate latch



@am 9, R923. EATQZQE@ W. S. WlTTEN GATE LATCH Filed May 16. :921

'mgm 256K aw g. Mh- J Patented @et 9, il@ l.

STATE@ WILLIAM S. WITTEN, DE CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

GATE LATCH.

Application filed May 16, 1921*. Serial No. 470.205.

To al? ltrimm t 'may concern:

Be it known that I. VILLIAM S. llviT'rEN. a citizen of the lnited States. and a resident of Chicago. in the county of ('ook and State of Illinois. have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gate Latches, of which the following is a Specification. reference being had to the accompanying drawln fs.

ily invention relatesI to latches of the type suitable for use on gates and in similar' situations. and has for its object to provide an improved latch ot' simple and rugged construction so that it will be well adapted for use in exposed places. and will be capable of withstanding rough usage; also one which will be self-latching without 4the use of springs. and which may be cheaply manufactured and easily installed without re quiring accurate fitting. I accomplish this object as illustrated in the drawings, and as hereinafter described. lVhat l regard as new is set forth in the claims.

In the accompanyingr drawings,-

Fig. 1 is an elevation of part. of a gate and gate post showing my improved latch mounted on the gate.;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail being a cross section on line of Fig. 1 showing the gate post equipped with a keeper provided with two guide lips so that the gate may swing into engagement with the keeper from either direction;

Fig. 3 is a similar view with a modied form ot keeper and gate post;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the latch member ot' my improved latch;

Fig. o is a perspective view. partly brokenv away ot' the bracket which supports the pivot of the latch-member; and

Fig. G is a similar view showing.r the bracket which supports and limits the movement of the latch holt.

Referring to the drawings-7 indicates a gate and F5 the gate post. These parts are shown merely as being typical. and l wish it to be understood that my improved latch may be applied to anj7 situation for which it. is adapted. f) indicates the shank of the latch member. and l0 an operating arm therefor. which is integral with the upper end ot' thc shank 9 and unites therewith at a pivot bearing ll, as shown in Fig. 4. It will be noted that the arm 10 extends at an angle to the shank 9. the object of which as will hereinafter more clearly appear, is

to aid in holding the latch-bolt in its operative position hy the action of gravity.

12 indicates a cross-head which is secured between its ends to the lower end of the shank 9. In the. illustration of Fig. l the left-hand end 13 ot' said cross-bead constitutes a latch-Milt. while the right-hand end 14 thereof aids in causing the latch-holt to move to its operative position. As will be apparent from an inspection of Fig. l, inasmuch as the arm l() and portion 14 of the cross-head lie at the same side of the pivotal point. of the latch member. they will both operate to cause the shank i) to swing to the left as viewed in said figure.

rlhe pivot bearing 11 is mounted within a bracket 15. the upper portion ot which is made tubular, or in the form ot a sleeveto receive said bea-ring. and is perforated to receive a bolt 16 which passes through the hearing 1l. through the tubular portion of the bracket 15. and into or through the gate. This bolt serves as aV pivot about which the latch member swings. `Below the tubular portion 1:3 of the, bracket it is provided with a lip 1T which is perforated to receive a holt 18. shown in Fig. l. By means of the bolts 1G and 1S the bracket 15 is securely fastened to the gate.

The cross-head 1:2 swings within a frame or bracket 19 which comprises two side plates 20. :2.1. which are connected at. two diagonally opposite corners by integral studs 23as shown in Figs. l and G. the opposite corners of said plates being connected together and secured to the gate by bolts 24, as shown in Fig. 1. The bolt :El also serves as a stop which limits the outward movement of the latch bolt 18. as indicated in Fig. 1.A and movement of the latchbolt in the opposite direction is limited by the stud The latch-bolt is arranged to swing freely between the side pla-tes Q0, 2l. but said plates support it against lateral strains. as anyv such strains will tend to twist the shank S). whereupon the end portions 13. 1*-1- of the cross-head. will bear against and he supported by the opposite side plates.

It will be observed that thc brackets 15 and 19 are entirely disconnected from each other, which arrangement is advantageous because it permits the bracket 19 to be atljusted indepeinlently oi the bracket l5. and consequently makes easy the installation of the bolt in places where it might otherwise Mill . be quite ditlieult to apply it. Also it makes it possible t adjust die extent to -i'vliich y'the latch-bolt projects beyond the edge or' thegute accurately without its being necessary'. to make any cliangein the position ofthe This construction-is also ad- ,l vantageous since it realizes an important saving in the cost of manufacture, and,

bracket l5.

this socket, and is provided with two in-y clined lipsI 33o- 3l at its opposite margins so that the latch-bolt will be automatically inoved back out ot operative position the gate is being closed from either direc? tion. ln Fig. 3 l have shown a modifie-l torni of gate post 8a which instead ot being provided with the socket or recess 28 is cut away at one corner to provide an abutment :l2 `,vliich is engaged by the gate when in its closed position. 1With this arrangement. I eii'iploy a keeper plate 33 having a Single lip 34, as the gate can open only in one direction, In the latter arrangement. the latch-bolt does not engage the gate post 8", but engages a perforation in the keeper plate.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the above described latch normally assumes its operative position by gravity but may be swung out of operative position either by nieans oi' the ai'iii lt), or b v pulling outward on the end portion llt of the latch bolt. lt is also moved out. of operative position by engagement of the operative portion 13 with the inclined portion of the keeper plate. As it .has no springs or other delicate parts to get out ot repair, the latch is very substantial and cannot easily be damaged.

What l claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1.2i latch comprising a latch member having a shank, an operating aini at the upper end thereof and integral therewith.y a pivot bearing at the juncture of said shank and arni, a cross-head at the lower end ot' said shank, one end portion ot said crosshead constituting a latch-bolt, a

bracket supporting said pivot bearing, and a frame lia ingside plates between which said..crossfheatlf'swings and by lwhich it is dsiipportisxl :against lateral strains.

f2. A.'latch"'eoiiiprisin'g a latch member a pivot bearing at the juncture oi. said shank and arm, a cross-head at thelower y end of'said shank, one end .poitionY ot saidcrossfhead constituting a .latch bolt, a bracket supportii'ig said pivot bearing, and

a frame having side plates between which said cross-head swings7 and by wl'iiehfit is supported against lateral strains, bracket and frame being separate from each other, whereby they may be. independently adjusted.

3. A latch comprising a latch member' having a shankpan operating arm at the.

upper end thereof and integral therewith,

a pivot bearing at the. juncture-of said` shank and arm, a cross-head atV the lower. end Ot said shank, one end portion of said. a.

cross-head constituting a latch bolt, bracket having a sleeve which embraces said pivot bearing, plates between which said .cross-head swings and by which it. is supported against lateral strains.

4. A latch comprising a latch member having a shank, an operating arin at the upper end thereof and integral therewith, a lpivot hearing at the juncture of. said shank and arm, a cross-head at thelowery end of said shank1 one end portion ot said cross-head constituting a latch-loolt, a bracket sui'iporting said pivot bearing, and

a 'frame having side platesbetween which strains. i

WILLlAiM S. WITTEN.

said,

and a frame having side4 GO having a shank, an operating arm Vat the 'upper end. thereofl and integral therewith, 

